Representatives of research and industry gained insights into the world of MEMS at SCHOTT

SCHOTT Advanced Optics holds a successful technology day event at the Competence Center for thin glass in Grünenplan

SCHOTT Advanced Optics in Grünenplan is the Competence Center for manufacturing of thin and special glasses for applications in the area of medical technology, the semiconductor industry, optics and opto-electronics.
Manufacturing of ultra-thin glasses in various versions, for example, and a newly developed product called MEMpax®, are of particular importance here. This is an ultra-thin borosilicate glass that opens up entirely new possibilities for the MEMS industry thanks to its fire-polished surface, chemical and physical properties analogous to the well-known SCHOTT Borofloat® 33, comparatively low thickness (thickness spectrum between 100 μm and 700 μm), extremely good non-conductive properties as a result of its low alkali content, low autofluorescence and ability to be used in direct anodic bonding in conjunction with silicon wafers.
The development of MEMpax® is a project that is being supported by the German State of Lower Saxony.

In light of the enormous dynamics of these markets, the NMN e.V. organized a technology day entitled “New Products and Technologies Revolutionize the World of MEMS” in association with SCHOTT on November 6, 2012. The “State Initiative Nano and Material Innovations from Lower Saxony (NMN)” is a partner platform supported by the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Transportation aimed at increasing the innovativeness and strategic collaboration between business, science and politics and bundling Lower Saxony's expertise in the area of new materials, surfaces and lightweight structures.

The event gave representatives of research and industry the chance to address current developments, needs and expertise in the target field of MEMS. About 30 participants took advantage of this occasion to discuss synergies and cooperation opportunities in the area of thin glass and exchange information on current trends and applications.

The tour of select areas of thin glass manufacturing was one of the highlights of the event.

As part of the series of presentations, representatives of business and science, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS, the Laser-Laboratorium Göttingen e. V., Robert Bosch GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM discussed current developments and applications in the relevant market. During the round of talks that followed, the participants joined in discussing the issues facing the industry today, the consequences of taking certain actions and product initiatives.

These were discussed even further and driven forward in the work groups supported by the state-sponsored initiative Nano and Material Innovations in Lower Saxony, whereby new participants are always welcome.

If you are interested in participating in the work groups, receiving the results of the study group or have a contribution to make, particularly in the areas characterization, functionalizing, monitoring and structuring in the target field of MEMS, please contact the administrative office of the LI NMN by sending an e-mail to mail@nmn-ev.de or calling them at +49 (551) 49 607 0 or contact us at: info.optics@schott.com.